Question : Revival of Closed Textile Mills

(a) whether the Government is considering to restart the Finlay Textile Mill in Amravati, Maharashtra which has been lying closed since Corona period and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is formulating any scheme for the artisans/employees working in the said Mill as they have neither got the salary/arrears nor there was any increase in their salary and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate any action plan/start any centre for skilled workers in entire Maharashtra including the Parliamentary Constituency of Amravati under the Handicrafts scheme and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a) & (b): Production activity in all the National Textile Corporation (NTC) mills including Finlay Textile Mill in Amravati, Maharashtra were suspended due to Covid-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown imposed by the various State Governments from March, 2020. Normal operations were resumed in some of the NTC mills including Finlay Textile Mill from January, 2021, which could not be continued due to unavailability of working capital and other financial constraints. In light of the continued poor economic viability of NTC mills, Ministry of Textiles is preparing an action plan for a way forward in the matter in consultation with NITI Aayog and Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance.
(c): The Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Government of India extends benefits to the Handicraft artisans under “National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP)” and “Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)” to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the artisans throughout the country including Maharashtra. During the last three years, Rs. 647.44 lakhs was sanctioned benefitting 11,820 artisans in the State of Maharashtra.
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